On July 26, 2010, Gil Greggain was told by his physician he had between two weeks and 5 months to live. He told him he had advanced cancers all over his body including his lymph system and treatment would kill him before the cancer would. Greggain made the decision to go home, to go home and die.
By the age of 86, Greggain has lived a full life, a life filled with joy. Born in Canada, Greggain sought a warmer climate to help alleviate pain caused by an injury sustained as a young boy. Having had severely burned his hands on a stove, Greggains skin and tendons were damaged beyond repair. The cold of Saskatoon, Calgary was only making it more difficult to function. At the advice of doctors, Greggain moved the family to Northern California.
It wasnt easy to cross the border in 1967 when Greggain sought a warmer climate. Key punch operators were in high demand and fortunately Greggains wife, Flo had those skills. The Greggains hit a snag when Greggain was unable to produce fingerprints for the border patrol. He simply did not have fingerprints because of his burns. After much explaining, Greggain and his family were allowed to cross the border into America.
Life was good. By 1973 Greggain had decided to become a United States Citizen. It was an expensive process but one Greggain felt strongly about. He loved America and the opportunities it had allowed his family. One of the requirements for US citizenship is the ability to speak some English. This was not an issue for Greggain or other English speaking students but it was for the handful of non-English speaking students. Rather than teach the students some key phrases in English, the teacher wrote I Luv U on the chalkboard. When Greggain saw how the teacher had instructed the non-English speaking students to pass this portion of the test he abruptly walked out in disgust without ever having received citizenship. It would be many years later when he would try again.
In 2005 Greggain lost the love of his life Flo. After 64 years of marriage Greggain was alone. Greggains daughter, Susan had committed to caring for her mother until she passed away and now was reluctant to leave her dad alone in California. By 2008 the cost of living was so high in California, Susan convinced her dad to come to Ohio where she had built a life.
Once in Ohio Greggain became a member of the New Vine Baptist Church. I believe in God. Im not the best Christian and I dont know why God is keeping me here, says Greggain. When I got sick I felt like my usefulness was gone. I used to be able to fix the car, the dishwasher, anything, says Greggain. God isnt done with him yet, remarks Susan.
As Greggains illness progressed he asked the church if he could get baptized. As a boy he was affiliated with the Church of England but had fallen away from it. He felt a need to be closer to God. He was baptized in Pride Valley Lake on a cool August afternoon. When Dad came up from that water, he just shined, said Susan. When I went into that water, the deeper and colder it got. I felt closer to God. I have always felt close to God, Greggain said.
Now at home, Greggain relies on Crossroads Hospice for care. Its a long journey, getting old. Hospice has been wonderful to me and to Susan. I dont know what wed do without them. These complete strangers come into your life and become part of your family, Greggain tears up as he describes the care he receives. Greggain gets a visit from Chaplain James once a week, Nurses Kim and Mandy visit one and three times a week. Social workers and bereavement counselors come occasionally and as needed.
Greggain suffered a heart attack in November and everyone thought this was the end. He had expressed interest in becoming a citizen so Hospice staff set out to see what they could do to expedite the process. They wrote letters to congressman and the Department of Homeland Security/Immigration. On December 6, 2010 Greggain earned is US citizen status. It is an uncertain world. If God takes me tomorrow, I will go willingly. I do not want to be a burden on Susan. I am so proud to be an American, Greggain fights back tears.
When I was in the navy back in Canada we surrounded a German sub. We took the crew to a POW ship. I was told to remove all possessions from the Germans. One of those Germans was only fourteen years old. He started to cry and asked me not to take the picture of his mother. I always followed orders but I let that boy keep that picture and he swore he wouldnt tell anyone. You have got to be a humanitarian to make it in this world, Greggain explains.
Crossroads Hospice has been unbelievable. They help people with no future and they help their families. They help my Susan. They have bent over backwards to help us. They are humanitarians, Greggain says with conviction.
This is a poem written by Gil Greggain to his wife on their 54th. Wedding anniversary:
LOVE
For some people
Life has been unkind
For they search and search everywhere
For true love, never to find
But God help me to find
The true love of my life
And to me, He was so kind
When He gave me my loving wife
I praise God for all the happy years
That we have spent together
Through good times and bad times
And through all kinds of weather
The sweetest gal, I ever knew
Has been with me all the way
She made me happy when she said I Do
And made my life complete Id say
Now weve reached our twilight years
Still together, as well always be
For I was meant to be with you
And you were meant for me
